Ioane’s shred Cheetahs defence

Locks Etzebeth and Du Toit have both recovered from injury niggles while tighthead prop Malherbe was rested against the Hurricanes before last week’s bye as part of the Springboks management plan.

The only other change to the forward pack is at loosehead prop where Oli Kebble switches with Ali Vermaak to claim the starting spot.

In the backline, Dillyn Leyds steps into the fly-half role he performed in Wellingon when Rob du Preez was forced from the field with a torn pectoral muscle and fit-again sevens star Seabelo Senatla takes his place on the left wing.

Experienced centre Damian de Allende returns from an ankle injury to feature on the bench.

“It is great to have all of these players back in the mix and the players are determined to lift our game following the bye week,” Stormers coach Robbie Fleck said.

“We have prepared well for this game and want to make the most of the opportunity to play in front of our fans at Newlands again.”

As a result, Elliot Dixon will lead the side from the first minute, joined in the loose forwards’ trio by Dillon Hunt and Gareth Evans.

Tevita Li replaces the suspended Waisake Naholo on the left edge, while Tom Franklin has been named to play his 50th Super Rugby match at lock.

Test fullback Ben Smith, meanwhile, remains out.

The Highlanders, coming off tight wins in South Africa over the Cheetahs and Bulls, sit in fourth in the New Zealand conference after 11 games and will be confident of sneaking into the final top eight ahead of the Durban-based Sharks.

The Force, however, have struggled under the weight of an uncertain Super Rugby future and have won just three of 10 matches this season.

Brumbies struggle at home

EXCITING Brumbies fullback Tom Banks will get another chance to prove himself in the No. 15 jersey, with Aidan Toua shifting to the wing for the club’s crucial Super Rugby clash with the Kings.

Coach Stephen Larkham left James Dargaville out of the squad which is in Port Elizabeth ahead of Sunday morning’s match, allowing Banks to play his fifth game of the season.

The Brumbies will be looking for the 22-year-old to inject some spark into a team which hasn’t scored a try in 210 minutes while slumping to four-straight losses for the first time since 2011.

“Aidan’s got tremendous experience, he’s a very good communicator and he’ll give us good direction from there,” Larkham said.

“Banksy has performed well when he’s played at fullback so I want to give him another chance there.”

Consistent flanker Chris Alcock returns to the side after being rested for last week’s loss to the Lions.

“He’s feeling very refreshed and certainly over the little niggly injury he had,” Larkham said.

While the Brumbies are in the midst of one of their worst runs, the Kings are enjoying their best after winning three-straight for the first time in the club’s history.

Fullback Masixole Banda (hamstring) has been replaced by Chrysander Botha and Larkham is wary of wingers Alshaun Bock and Makazole Mapimpi.

“Their back three are very fast, electric and probably the quickest in the competition,” Larkham said.

“They’ve got Lionel Cronje playing 10 who played with us for a number of years and he’s playing some really good football at the moment.

“They’ve got a typical South African forward pack — big, aggressive and no-nonsense.” Larkham has put faith in winger Andrew Murihead, who doesn’t have a professional contract, to play off the bench after impressing in club rugby.

“We expect the boys to go back to club and play exceptional footy and he’s been doing that so we’ve rewarded him with an opportunity this weekend,” Larkham said.

Koroibete's corner try

POWERHOUSE winger Taqele Naiyaravoro returns from injury in one of four changes to the Waratahs’ starting line-up for Sunday’s Super Rugby clash.

Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps, No 8 Michael Wells and lock Will Skelton are also back in the run-on XV as the Waratahs bid to keep their finals hopes flickering with a home win at Allianz Stadium.

Coach Daryl Gibson said the Waratahs were raring to go — and ready to make a rare flying start — after focusing on their poor first halves during their bye week.

In their last match against the Blues, the Waratahs trailed 26-0 at halftime before losing 40-33, while they also gifted the Rebels a big first-half lead before running them down on the buzzer in Melbourne.

“The players know that they need to work hard for the full 80 minutes and that we need to start with a real intent and an urgency to our performance,” Gibson said.

Friday 18 August 2017 13:17 - 13:17

Tahs wary of fired up Rebels

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Meanwhile, the Rebels have made nine changes.

Lopeti Timani returns from his four-game suspension and Sean McMahon will make his first start of the season, joining Japanese international Amanaki Mafi in a powerful back-row.

Prop Tyrel Lomax and lock Culum Retallick have been recalled to the starting line-up while injuries to Sefa Naivalu and Tom English forced a reshuffle of the backline with Marika Koroibete the only player to retain his position.

Jackson Garden-Bachop will partner Ben Meehan in the halves, stand-in captain Reece Hodge and Mitch Inman will combine in the centres, Jack Maddocks is named on the wing and Ben Volavola will start at fullback.

“We’re all excited to get Sean and Lopeti back into the starting line-up and we’re looking forward to seeing them play with Amanaki in a dynamic backrow for us,” Rebels coach Tony McGahan said.

“It’s been a lot time coming to have the three of them fit and available for selection together but it’s a brand new combination so we’re conscious combinations may be lacking.